Course

Unit 1

Foundations of Indian Civilisation and Knowledge Traditions

• Concept of civilisation
• Foundations of Indian civilisation
• The concept of Dharma, Rta, and Purusharthas
• Indian approaches to knowledge: Shruti, Smriti, Anubhava, Pramana
• Introduction to Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and their contemporary significance

Unit 2

Foundations of Indian Civilisation and Knowledge Traditions

• Concept of civilisation
• Foundations of Indian civilisation
• The concept of Dharma, Rta, and Purusharthas
• Indian approaches to knowledge: Shruti, Smriti, Anubhava, Pramana
• Introduction to Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and their contemporary significance

Unit 3

Indian Logic — Tarka, Hetvabhasa & Formal Debate

• The five-membered syllogism (Panchaavayava Nyaya) vs Aristotelian syllogism
• Vyapti (pervasion / universal relation) — the problem of induction
• Hetvabhasa — catalogue of inference fallacies
• Jati — futile rejoinders and debate tricks
• Vada, Jalpa, Vitanda — three modes of debate; ethics of argumentation
• Tarka (reductio ad absurdum) as a critical tool

Unit 4

Contemporary Relevance of Indian Intellectual Traditions

• Indian civilisation in modern and global contexts
• Colonial encounters and reinterpretation of Indian traditions
• Selected modern thinkers and their contributions
• Indian perspectives on ecology, sustainability, and holistic living
• Indian knowledge systems and contemporary education
• Relevance of Indian intellectual traditions in intercultural dialogue and global ethics

Nature of Course: Theory:

Course Objectives: 

• To introduce students to the foundations, diversity, and intellectual traditions of Indian civilization and philosophical thought.
• To familiarize students with major schools of Indian philosophy and their concepts of reality, self, consciousness, karma, and liberation.
• To introduce students to Indian traditions of logic, debate, and critical reasoning.
• To examine the contemporary relevance of Indian intellectual traditions in modern global contexts.

Course Outcomes: 

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

CO | Course Outcomes | Knowledge level [Bloom’s Taxonomy]

CO01 To introduce students to the foundations, diversity, and intellectual traditions of Indian civilization and philosophical thought.

Statement: Develops an understanding of Indian civilization, its philosophical traditions, and the diversity of knowledge systems that shaped cultural and intellectual history. Understand

CO02 To familiarize students with major schools of Indian philosophy and their concepts of reality, self, consciousness, karma, and liberation.

Statement: Enables students to analyze core philosophical ideas and compare diverse perspectives within Indian intellectual traditions. Analyze

CO03 To introduce students to Indian traditions of logic, debate, and critical reasoning.

Statement: Develops analytical thinking and argumentation skills through the study of Nyaya logic, inference, debate methods, and fallacies. Apply

CO04 To examine the contemporary relevance of Indian intellectual traditions in modern global contexts.

Statement: Encourages critical reflection on the relevance of Indian thought in areas such as ethics, sustainability, education, and intercultural dialogue. Evaluate

*Programme Outcomes (PO) (As given by NBA and ABET) 

• CO1: To introduce students to the foundations, diversity, and intellectual traditions of Indian civilisation and philosophical thought.
• CO2: To familiarise students with major schools of Indian philosophy and their concepts of reality, self, consciousness, karma, and liberation.
• CO3: To introduce students to Indian traditions of logic, debate, and critical reasoning.
• CO4: To examine the contemporary relevance of Indian intellectual traditions in modern global contexts.

CO-PO Mapping: [affinity#: 3 – high; 2- moderate; 1- slightly]

1. An Introduction to Indian Philosophy — Satishchandra Chatterjee and Dhirendramohan Datta
2. Outlines of Indian Philosophy — Mysore Hiriyanna
3. Philosophy in Classical India: The Proper Work of Reason — Jonardon Ganeri
4. A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy — Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Charles A. Moore
5. A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy — Chandradhar Sharma

Dr. Sooraj M. S.

Assistant Professor,
School of Spiritual and Cultural Studies
Amritapuri Campus, Kollam, India
Email : soorajms@am.amrita.edu
Faculty Room: A203